Discussion about
So, my Kindle 1 recently died. I was thinking of picking up an IPad, but am curious if it is good enough for use with the Kindle app.
I realize it does MORE than the Kindle does, which is great. but I really liked my Kindle, and think I would use the Kindle app quite a bit on the IPad if it was good enough for reading for long periods of time?
Yeah, I have no problems with the Kindle app on my iPad and enjoy reading on it for long periods of time.
That said, my girlfriend reads primarily with a 3rd-gen Kindle and refuses to read long form content with the iPad -- she prefers the sharpness and contrast of an e-ink display over LCD.
So, it really comes down to preference. I think you'll have to try it out at an Apple Store first!
That said, my girlfriend reads primarily with a 3rd-gen Kindle and refuses to read long form content with the iPad -- she prefers the sharpness and contrast of an e-ink display over LCD.
So, it really comes down to preference. I think you'll have to try it out at an Apple Store first!
I have a 3rd gen Kindle and an iPad and I actually use them pretty interchangeably, depending on which one is closest at hand. The Kindle app in the iPad is solid, and Amazon does a good job of updating it with features fairly regularly (I just noticed they added 2-column support in landscape the other night).
My only real gripe with the Kindle iPad app is that there's no way to lock the screen from within the app. So if you're reading in bed and role over onto your side, it will automatically switch to landscape mode.
Besides that though, the only real reason I keep the Kindle around is because the battery life is just so damn unbeatable, and there are quite a few times when even the iPad's 10-hr battery is too limiting for what I need.
My only real gripe with the Kindle iPad app is that there's no way to lock the screen from within the app. So if you're reading in bed and role over onto your side, it will automatically switch to landscape mode.
Besides that though, the only real reason I keep the Kindle around is because the battery life is just so damn unbeatable, and there are quite a few times when even the iPad's 10-hr battery is too limiting for what I need.
Use the switch on the side of your iPad to lock the orientation and solve your gripe, until iOS 4.2 comes out that is. After that you will have to use the orientation lock button in the multitasking interface, still keeps you in the app though.
I do a fair amount of reading on my iPad and have never had a problem with it. I can read all day with no noticeable eyestrain with some battery life to spare. Itchyeyes may want to make use of the orientation lock switch on the side of the iPad to overcome his gripe (or in iOS 4.2 open the multitasking bar and swipe left for a soft orientation lock, since the hardware switch is now for mute). The biggest annoyance you may have coming from a kindle is the weight discrepancy between the two. I have become accustomed to it but at the same time would probably appreciate a lighter device for reading.
If you have good / fast eyes you may like to note that the iPad has a fair bit of flickering as it manages power. Which is what totally takes it out of contention for me as a book reader. It's not impossible to do of course, but I find the Kindle much better.
But as a compromise to a 'do it all consumer device' the iPad is obviously unbeatable.
But as a compromise to a 'do it all consumer device' the iPad is obviously unbeatable.
...make sure you look at one in person...when I tried it in the Apple store, the ONLY thing I could see were the reflections of the overhead fluorescent lights -- reading was impossible...moving into a dimmer area didn't help much since then I was stuck trying to read through my very vivid reflection...tilting didn't help -- at the point where I could get reflections to disappear, so did whatever was on the screen...I think it's useless as an ebook reader...
